Lord Siva Temples in India on almost same

Longitude
1. Kedarnath Kedarnath Temple (30.7352 N, 79.0669)
2. Kaleshwaram Kaleshwara Mukteeshwara swamy
Temple (18.8110, 79.9067)
3. Srikalahati Srikalahasti Temple (13.749802, 79.698410)
4. Kanchipuram Ekambareswarar Temple (12.847604, 79.699798)
5. Thiruvanaikaval Jambukeswara Temple (10.853383, 78.705455)
6. Tiruvannamalai Annamalaiyar Temple (12.231942, 79.067694)
7. Chidambaram Nataraja Temple (11.399596, 79.693559)
8. Rameswaram Ramanathaswamy Temple(9.2881, 79.3174)

Jyotirlinga temples[edit]

Famous Shiva Temples - The 12

Jyotir Lingams
The prime and foremost Hindu deity, Shiva, is actually a Yogi who keeps a close eye
on everything that happens in the world and also is the main aspect of life. He
possesses a great divine power but lives a life of sage at a consecrated paradise
namely Mount Kailash. Being a supreme power and the God of Hindu religion, Shiva
mainly looks after five important and his very own works: Creation, Preservation,
Destruction, Cancelation, and Revelation. According to the well-known Smarta
tradition, Shiva is considered as one of the five key forms of the God. Hindu Religion
followers who consider themselves the worshippers of Shiva are popularly known
among the spiritual crowds as Shaivites or Shaivas.

The Shiva Temples

This is obvious that a country like India which is full of spiritual crowds and
worshippers has innumerable holy abodes of Shiva. These devout shacks of the
Hindu God, Shiva, are scattered across various corners of the country. However, the
most powerful and coveted among them are the 12 Jyotirlingams. Some of them
them are disputed, so the total goes up to 15 or 16. Here, we have tried to lay down
the most accepted ones. A more detailed study on the subject can be found on India
Travel Companion, at the
URL:http://www.IndiaTravelCompanion.com/twelve_jyotirlingams

Somnath Temple
image: http://www.theholidayspot.com/shivratri/temple_images/somnath-
temple.jpg

1. Somnath: Located in the Prabhas Kshetra in Saurashtra, the Somnath, is one of

the twelve Jyotirlingam shrines of Shiva. Placed on the western coastal lines of
India, Somnath, is said to be the protector of (the) Moon God. The famous holy
shrine of Somnath had been destroyed and rebuilt six times. Therefore, it is
popularly known as the Shrine eternal. The famous Shiva abode was reconstructed
and revamped last time during 1947 when Vallabhbhai Patel visited the hallowed
spot. K.M. Munshi, another Indian Government Minister, continued the process of
rebuilding after the death of Vallabhbhai Patel.

Mahakaleshwar Temple
image: http://www.theholidayspot.com/shivratri/temple_images/mahakaleshwar-
temple.jpg
2. Mahakaleshwar: Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the temple of Mahakaleshwar, is
situated in the city of Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh. Its famously said to be one of the
twelve Jyotirlingams which are considered to be the most consecrated abodes of
Shiva. The Shiva temple looks enthralling as it is located on the banks of the Rudra
Sagar Lake. Spiritual crowds in the vicinity know the deity, Shiva, as Swayambhu.

Omkareshwar Temple
image: http://www.theholidayspot.com/shivratri/temple_images/omkareshwar-
temple.jpg
3. Omkareshwar: The holy Shiva temple of Omkareshwar is another revered
Jyotirlingam Shrine of Shiva. The foundation of the famous Omkareshwar temple has
been laid on the Hindu-symbol shaped Island, called Mandhata or Shivapuri. This
island, nestled in the water of the Narmada River, houses another temple apart from
Omkareshwar ("Lord of Omkaara or the Lord of the Om Sound"). The sanctified
Amareshwar ("Immortal lord" or "lord of the Immortals or Devas") temple, built on
the same island, is another Shiva abode.

Kedarnath Temple
image: http://www.theholidayspot.com/shivratri/temple_images/kedarnath-
temple.jpg

4. Kedarnath: Located atop the Himalayan Range, on the protracted land near the
Mandakini River in Kedarnath, the holy Kedarnath temple is dedicated to the Hindu
deity, Shiva and is one of the grand temples of India. Countless numbers of pilgrims
want to access the temple but many are unable to access this holy premise due to
the extreme weather condition. The temple remains open for the devotees during
April- Kartuk Purnima (The autumn full moon). During winters the idol of the temple
is brought all the way to Ukhimath. Devotees pay tribute to the deity here for six
months.

The temple, however, is not directly accessed by road. Trekkers and pilgrims enjoy a
14 km uphill trek from Gaurikund to reach the desired destination. Built by Adi
Sankaracharya, it is the holiest Hindu shrine of Shiva. The old temple actually was
there since the period of Mahabharata. It is believed that the temple was
constructed when Pandavas could successfully satisfy Shiva by doing penance in
Kedarnath.

Bhimshankar Temple
image: http://www.theholidayspot.com/shivratri/temple_images/bhimshankar-
temple.jpg

5. Bhimshankar: The Shiradhon Village, about 50 km away towards the North-

West side of Khed, houses the holy Hindu pilgrimage point, Bhimshankar temple. It
is the renowned source of the Bhima River which meets with the water stream of the
Krishna River at Raichur. Besides Bhimashankar temple, other famous temples of
Maharashtra are Trimbakeshwara (Near Nashik) and Grishneshwar (Near Ellora).
 Kashi Vishwanath Temple
image: http://www.theholidayspot.com/shivratri/temple_images/kashi-vishwanath-
temple.jpg

6. Kashi Vishwanath Temple: Every Hindu devotee is expected to visit the holy
temple of Varanasi. Spiritual people who visit Kashi Vishwanath temple scatter ashes
of the deceased ancestors in the holy River Ganges. One of the twelve Jyotirlingams
of India, the temple of Kashi Vishwanath, is located on the western banks of the
River Ganges. The chief deity who is residing on the holy throne is known as
Vishwanath (The ruler of the Universe) in the proximity. The city, Kashi where the
temple is actually positioned, has a history of 3500 years. Due to the existence of
the 15.5 meters high Golden spire, built by Maharaja Ranjit Singh, the ruler of
Lahore, the consecrated Vishwanath temple is called as the Golden temple.

The current structure of the temple is located beside the Gyanvapi Mosque which
was the actual place of the ancient temple. The temple had been destroyed and
reconstructed a number of times. The present structure, however, was erected by
the Maratha Monarch, Ahilya Bai Holkar of Indore in 1780. The Government of Uttar
Pradesh is managing the temple since 1983. The chief priest, Kashi Naresh, the king
of Kashi, is only allowed to access the Sanctum Sanctorum during religious occasions
like Shivaratri. Others can get inside the sanctorum only after performing their holy
religious functions.
 Trimbakeshwar Temple
image: http://www.theholidayspot.com/shivratri/temple_images/trimbakeshwar-
temple.jpg

7. Trimbakeshwar: About 28 km away from the city of Nasik, the Trambakeshwar

temple is a Hindu paradise in Trimbak of Nashik District. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, as
many other holy pilgrimage points of India, Trambakeshwar is one of 12 sacred
Jyotirlingams of Shiva. The temple actually is located at the source of the revered
Godavari River which is worshipped by large group of Hindu pilgrims in India. A
number of banks of this river are considered sacred bathing places for the pilgrims.

Ramanathaswamy Temple
image: http://www.theholidayspot.com/shivratri/temple_images/ramanathswamy-
temple.jpg
8. Ramanathaswamy: Located on the island of Rameshwaram, at the extreme
southern corner of India, the hallowed temple of Ramanathaswamy, is a divine
heaven where innumerable devotees assemble to pay tributes to the holy Hindu
deity, Shiva. There is the temple which had been glorified by the songs of three of
the most revered Nayanars- Appars, Sundarar and Tirugnana Sambandar. Built
during 12th century by Pandya dynasty, the temple proudly showcases the longest
corridor among all the Hindu temples of India. Both the Shaivites and Vaishnavites
communities consider this as a holy spot. This is one of the twelve Jyotirlingams of
Shiva as well.

Grishneshwar Temple
image: http://www.theholidayspot.com/shivratri/temple_images/grishneshwar-
temple.jpg
9. Grishneshwar: About 11 km away from Daulatabad, the divine Grishneshwar is
a divine paradise which is dedicated to Shiva. Located near the renowned Ellora
caves, the Grishneshwar is one of the twelve Jyotirlingams of Shiva as well.

Vaidyanath Temple
image: http://www.theholidayspot.com/shivratri/temple_images/vaidyanath-
temple.jpg
10. Vaidyanath: Well-known as the Baba Dham in the propinquity, Vaidyanath, is
one of the most sacred Shiva abodes in India. There are a lot of confusions which
hover around the exact location of the Vaidyanath temple (Deogarh, Parli and
Baijnath).

Nageshvara Temple
image: http://www.theholidayspot.com/shivratri/temple_images/nageshvara-
temple.jpg
11. Nageshvara: Believed as the first Jyotirlingam on the Earth, Nageshvara, is
another Jyotirlingam of Shiva. The name of this shrine was also found in the Shiva
Purana. There are three identical shrines which resembles the structure of this
Jyotirlingams. Three of these identical shrines in India are Jageshwar temple
(Uttarakhand), Nageshwara temple (Gujarat) and Nagnath temple (Maharashtra).

Mallikarjuna Swamy
image: http://www.theholidayspot.com/shivratri/temple_images/mallikarjuna-
temple.jpg
12. Mallikarjuna Swamy: Situated at Srisailam in Andhra Pradesh, Mallikarjuna
Swamy temple is one of the 275 Paadal Petra Sthalams and is one of the twelve
Jyotirlingams of India.

Description of the 12 Jyotir Lingams in Shiv Purana :

Saurashtra Somnatham Cha Shrishaile Mallikarjunam ||
Ujjainyam Mahakal Omkare Mammaleshwaram ||
Parlyam Vaijnatham Cha Dakinyam Bheema Shankaram ||
Setu Bandhe Tu Ramesham Nagesham Daruka Vane ||
Varanasya Tu Vishwesham Tribakam Gautamitate ||
Himalaye Tu Kedaram Ghurmesham Cha Shivalaye ||
Aetani Jyotirlingani Sayam Prataha Pathennaraha ||
Sapta Janma Kritam Papam Smaranen Vinashyati ||

One who recites these 12 names regularly in the morning and evening he washes all
the sins committed in the previous 7 births and attains all the powers and Siddhis.

Read more at
http://www.theholidayspot.com/shivratri/famous_shiva_temples.htm#zVQS0CCpVh
5K5gpV.99
# Jyotirlinga Location

1 Somnath Prabhas Patan, near Veraval, Gujarat

2 Mallikarjuna Swamy Srisailam, Andhra Pradesh

3 Mahakaleshwar Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh

4 Omkareshwar near Indore, Madhya Pradesh

5 Kedarnath Kedarnath, Uttarakhand

6 Bhimashankar Pune, Maharashtra

7 Kashi Vishwanath Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh

8 Trimbakeshwar Trimbak, near Nasik, Maharashtra

9 Vaidyanath deogarh, jharkhand

10 Nageshwar Jamnagar, Gujrat

11 Ramanathaswamy Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu

12 Grishneshwar Ellora, Maharashtra

Pancha Bootha Sthalas (Five Elemental Manifestations)[edit]

In South India, five temples of Shiva are held to be particularly important, as being
manifestations of him in the five elemental substances.

Manife
Deity Location
station

Jambuke Tiruchirapalli,
Water
shwar Tamil Nadu

Thiruvannam
Arunach
Fire alai, Tamil
aleswar
Nadu

Srikalahasti,
Kalahast
Air Andhra
heeswar
Pradesh

Ekambar Kanchipuram
Earth
eswar , Tamil Nadu

Chidambara
Nataraja Sky m, Tamil
Nadu
 Srmukhaling
Srimukha
Fire am, Andhra
lingam
Predesh

Panchaaraama temples[edit]
Main article: Pancharama Kshetras

The Pancharama Kshetras (or the Pancharamas) are five ancient Hindu temples of Lord Shiva
situated in Andhra Pradesh. The Sivalingas at these temples are made from a single Sivalinga.
As per the legend, this Sivalinga was owned by the demon king Tarakasura. No one could win
over him due to the power of this Sivalinga. Finally, Lord Kumaraswamy, the son of Lord Shiva
broke the Sivalinga into five pieces and killed Tarakasura. The five pieces of Sivalinga fell at five
different places on earth namely,

Bhimesvara Swamy Temple in Draksharama, one of the Pancharama Kshetras

Arama Siva's Consort Locatio

Name Name Name n

Bala
Amaralinge Chamund
Amarara Amarava
swara ika
ma thi
Swamy Ammavar
u

Manikya
Drakshar Bhimesvara mba Drakshar
ama Swamy Ammavar ama
u

Sri
Rajarajes
Somara Someswara Bhimava
wari
ma Swamy ram
Ammavar
u

Ksheera
Parvati
Ksheerar Ramalinges
Ammavar Palakol
ama wara
u
Swamy
 Bala
Kumara Tripurasu
Bhimara Samalko
Bhimeswar ndari
ma ta
a Swamy Ammavar
u
Sabha temples[edit]

The five temples located in Tamil Nadu where Shiva is believed to perform Bharata
Natyam dance are:

Sabha Temple Location

Pon
(Gold) Natarajar Temple Chidambaram
Sabha

Velli Meenakshi
(Silver) Sundareswarar Madurai
Sabha Temple

Thamira
Nellaiappar
(Copper) Tirunelveli
Temple
Sabha

Rathna Sri
Thiruvalangad
(Gem) Vadaranyeswarar
u
Sabha Temple

Chitira
Kutraleeswar
(Picture) Kutralam
Temple
Sabha

4 of the most amazing Shiva

temples in India other than
Amarnath and Kedarnath
Murudeshwar
Kotilingeshwara

30 Most Popular Shiva Temples in India

By Sudip Deyon Mar 30, 2015 8:32 am

Share48

Shiva, the supreme power according to the Hindu religious beliefs, has played
an important role in the formation of Indian culture. Known as Shiva or
Mahadeva in the northern part of the country and Thillai in South, the deity is
considered among the three main energies behind the formation of this
universe. Mostly represented in mythologies as a Yogi or a peaceful entity,
Shiva is also described as a fierce deity in ancient religious scriptures in the
form of a Bhairava or Nataraja. From Kashmir to Kanyakumari and Saurashtra
to Assam, he has been worshipped in different forms as the destroyer of evils
and rescuer of the innocents.

Various interesting myths and legends have been centred on the supremacy
of Shiva resulting to the formation of famous pilgrimage circuits like
Dwadasha Jyotirlinga (12 temples), Panch Kedar (5 temples) and Pancha
Bhuta Sthalams (5 great elements) in different corners of the country. Around
hundreds of temples are found in India which are particularly dedicated to
Samhar Karta (Destroyer) Shiva. This blog is here penned down to tell you
about the most popular Shiva Temples in India which are not just a pick of
religious souls but food for the thoughts of history buffs.

[ Click here for 12 Jyotirlinga Tour Package ]

Kedarnath, Uttarakhand

Located on the Garhwal Himalayan Range of Uttarakhand near Mandakini

River, Kedarnath Temple is a highly esteemed Shiva Temple for Hindus across
the world. Perched at a height of around 3583m, this Shiva shrine is counted
among the four destinations of Chardham Yatra of Uttarakhand along with
Yamunotri, Gangotri and Badrinath. Kedarnath is also one of the five temples
constituting the Panch Kedar and is located in Dev Bhumi, Uttarakhand. Due
to its high elevation, the temple receives high snowfall in winter and remains
open from April end till mid November.
 Somnath, Gujarat

The historical temple of Somnath is located in the Prabhas Kshetra near

Veraval in Saurashtra. It is one of the 12 Jyotirlinga temples dedicated to Lord
Shiva and gains prestigious position among the Hindus. The temple has been
a witness of severe historical incidents and has been ruined by foreign
invaders for its exclusive repository of gems and jewelleries. The recent
temple of Somnath was reconstructed in 1947. The temple is constructed in
Chalukya Style of architecture and built just next to the sea shore. The eye-
catching part of the temple is an Arrow Pillar, known as Baan Stambh.

Also Read:
Popular Tourist Destinations in Gujarat
Mallikarjuna Swamy, Andhra Pradesh

Located at Srisailam in Andhra Pradesh, Mallikarjuna Swamy Temple is yet

another jyotirlinga shrine on the bank of the River Krishna. The temple has a
gilded spire and looks stunning for its silverplated door and gracefully ornate
pillars. Lord Shiva is worshipped here in the form of Mallikarjun and Goddess
Parvati is worshipped here as Bhadrakali. The temple of Mallikarjuna Swamy
was built by King Harihara Raya of Bijayanagara kingdom about 6 centuries
back, so history buffs can get enough elements to fill their knowledge bank in
this temple.
 Mahakaleshwar, Madhya Pradesh

The temple of Mahakaleshwar is located in the city of Ujjain in

Madhyapradesh. The deity Mahakal is the Lord of death of all three Lokas,
i.e., heaven, earth, and hades. He is considered to be the fierce form of Lord
Shiva, who is the destroyer of all evils. The presiding deity of the temple is a
Swayambhu Lingam which is called Dakshinamurti. The main attraction of
this Jyotirlinga Temple is the Bhasma Arati which is a must see religious site
for the devotees.

Also Read:
Chitrakoot Exploring Footprints of Lord Rama
 Omkareshwar, Madhya Pradesh

Located on an island shaped like the Hindu spiritual symbol Om,

Omkareshwar Temple is situated in the Narmada river in Madhya Pradesh.
One of the popular pilgrimage destinations of India, this temple is a five
storeyed building that encloses the seats of different Hindu deities other than
the presiding deity Lord Omkareshwar. The deity is worshipped here three
times a day by different priests instead of the same temple head performing
it at all three times. The morning worship is done by the temple trust, the
Puja at mid day is done by the priest of Scindia state while the evening one is
performed by the priest of the Holkar state. The idol of Lord Omkareshwar is
three-headed and its appearance is backed by significant mythologies. To see
the most colourful face of this temple, tourists should travel here on Monday
or during Shravana, the fifth month of the Hindu calendar.

Also Read:
Popular Religious Tourism Places in India
 Bhimashankar, Maharashtra

A Jyotirlinga temple located in Pune, Maharashtra, Bhimashankar Temple is

found at place from where the river Bhima starts its journey. Built in Nagara
architectural style, the temple depicts modest and graceful temple
architecture. According to Hindu mythology, Tripurasur, a demon did penance
in the deepest jungle of Bhimashankar and pleased Lord Shiva who blessed
him with the gift of immortality. He was told that he should use the blessing
for the betterment of humans or else he will have to lose his life. In the
course of time he forgot the condition and started disobeying the order of the
Gods. To stop his evil deeds, Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati took a new form
called Ardhanarishwara who ultimately killed Bhimashankar. It is after this
incident that Bhimashankar turned into a revered religious site.

Also check out:

Popular Weekend Tours from Mumbai-Maharashtra
 Kashi Vishwanath, Uttar Pradesh

Photo: bit.ly/1HezJSs

One, who takes breathes his last in Kashi Vishwanath, gets liberated from the
cycle of rebirth and that is why Vishwanath, the lord of the world is the
shelter of all devoted souls. The temple of Kashi Vishwanath is located in
Varanasi and counted among the twelve Jyotirlingas. Kashi Vishwanth
possesses a important position in Shaivism and it is during Shiva Ratri festival
that the temple gets decked in its best. It is necessary to mention here that
the city of Varanasi is one of the oldest cities in the world and has high
historical importance.

Must watch:
Varanasi sightseeing Best Travel Videos
 Trimbakeshwar, Maharashtra

Located at a distance of around 28km from the city of Nashik, Trimbakeshwar

is a Jyotirlinga Temple found at the source of Godavari River. The temple of
Trimbakeshwar was believed to be built by Peshwa Balaji Baji Rao. Built in
classic Hemadpanthi style, this temple is completely made of black stone and
counted among the most popular Shiva temples in India. The lingam of Shiva
in the temple depicts three faces embodying Lord Vishnu, Lord Brahma and
Lord Rudra. The lingas are adorned with three distinct golden crowns jaded by
diamond and expensive gems.

Also Read:
Maharashtra Tourism- The Insiders Travel Guide
Vaidyanath, Deoghar, Jharkhand

Vaidya means doctor and Nath denotes Lord, so the literal meaning of
Vaidyanath is the Lord who acted as doctors. The temple has a connection
with the mythological incident of Ravana who sacrificed his ten heads in a bid
to please Lord Shiva. It is believed that, Shiva being pleased with Ravanas
devotion came down to Deoghar and treated the severed head of Ravana as
a doctor. Baidyanath Dham or Baba Dham is one of the Jyotirlinga Temples
and located in the Santhal Parganas division of Jharkhand. The temples
complex encompasses 22 temples of different heights dedicated to different
deities. The antique elements seen in this temple are Punchshula,
Chandrakanta Mani and obviously the lingam which is made of a unique
stone.
 Nageshwar, Dwarka, Gujarat

A historically enriched temple standing at the site of 5 formerly demolished

cities, Nageshwar is situated on the coast of Saurshtra in Gujarat. The temple
is found on the route between Dwarka city and Beyt Dwarka Island. Shiva is
worshipped in Nageshwar as a Jyotirlinga and can be seen in an underground
sanctum. Other than the religious and mythological significance, the temple
houses a few significant attractions like A 25 m tall statue of Lord Shiva along
with a large garden with a pond. Nageshwar is described as Darukavana in
ancient scriptures.

You may also like to know:

Most Poluar Heritage Hotels in Gujarat
 Ramanathaswamy, Tamil Nadu

A part and parcel of Temple Tour of South India, Ramanathaswamy Temple is

located in an island in Tamil Nadu called Rameshwaram. Highly esteemed by
the Shaivite as well as Vaishnavite believers, this temple was built at the
same place where Lord Rama worshipped Shiva to get rid of the sin he did
killing Ravana, a Brahmin. The temple has significant religious value and
gains more importance among the lovers of art and architecture for housing
the longest temple corridor in the world. It is believed that the idol of Lord
Shiva (the bigger one) was originally brought from Kailash by Hanuman, the
devotee of Lord Rama.

Also Read:
Popular Places to visit in Rameshwaram
 Grishneshwar, Maharashtra

Believed to be the last Jyotirlinga temple on earth, Grishneshwar is located at

a village near Daulatavad (Devgiri) called Verul. The temple is around 30 km
from Aurangabad and very close to Ellora Caves. It is built of red rocks and
designed in pre-historic architectural style. The temple was constructed by
Ahilyabhai Holkar. The formation of the temple is associated with a very
interesting story of Shiva Puran which states the devotion of Grushma and
how she got back her son who was killed by her jealous sister. The temple got
its name from this incident and thus known as Ghushmeswara or
Grushmeswara as well.

Also Read:
Popular Temples in Delhi
 Amarnath Temple, Kashmir

A religious tour in India that needs no introduction among the Indians,

Amarnath takes spiritual tourism in India to a different level. Located in the
state of Jammu and Kashmir State in India, this temple is perched at a height
of 3888 m in a hallowed cave known by the name of Lord Amarnath. The
main attraction of this religious site is the naturally appearingice lingam of
Lord Shiva which is formed once in a year. The Yatra leading to Amarnath is
considered very pious and needs lot of physical and mental strength to
complete as it passes through some of the rugged terrains of Kashmir and
one needs to walk long way.

Also Read:
The Spiritual Amarnath Yatra 2015 Slated to Commence on July 2
Brihadeswarar Temple, Tamil Nadu

Located in Thanjavur (Tanjore), Brihadeswara Temple is a UNESCO World

Heritage Site built by Raja Raj Chola. The greatest example of Dravidian style
of Temple Architecture, Brihadeeswarar Temple adorns the vimanam (temple
tower) which is considered to be one of the highest temple towers in the
world. The temple of Brihadeeswarar encloses a giant statue of Nandi which
is carved out of a single rock. The presiding deity of the temple is Lord
Mahadev while the exterior of the temple enshrines the images of other
popular deities such as Dakshinamurthy, Surya and Chandra. It is one of
those temples where the statues of Ashta Dikapalas are found.
 Shore Temple, Tamil Nadu

Located on the shore of Bay of Bengal in Mahabalipuram, Shore Temple is a

specimen of the temple style of 8 thCentury AD. Built of huge blocks of granite,
the temple constitutes a significant part of the temple complex of
Mahabalipuram and has been enlisted as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is
also one of the oldest stone temples of South India. The presiding deity of the
temple is Lord Shiva, though one can see a huge statue of Lord Vishnu in
reclining position in the temple complex. So, the travellers trying to taste the
architectural genius of South India should go and visit this temple.

Also Read:
10 Best Destinations for Spiritual Tour to South India
 Lingaraj Temple, Odisha

An exclusive specimen of Kalinga Architectural Style, Lingaraj Temple should

be added to the list of must see temples in India for the exclusive work of art
it depicts. Dedicated to Lord Harihara, an incarnation of Lord Shiva, the
temple is believed to be constructed by the kings of Somavamsi dynasty and
later modified the rulers of Ganga Dynasty. The temple is made of sandstone
and laterite and is surrounded by several other small shrines dedicated to
other deities. Shiva is worshipped here as Tribhuvaneshwara and his consort
is worshipped as Bhubaneshwari. Lingaraj Temple is one of the oldest temples
in Bhubaneshwar city of Odisha.

Also Read:
Popular Major Religious Sites of Orissa
Kotilingeshwara Temple, Karnataka

Literally the temple of around one crore number of Shivalingam, the

Kotilingeshwara Temple is located in Kammasandra village of Kolar district.
The main attraction of this temple is the huge Shiva Lingam which is around
33m tall. Nandi, the mount of Lord Shiva is around 11m tall. The Shiva
Lingam found in this temple is counted among the highest known Shiva
Lingams in the world.

Also Read:

Popular Destinations for Temple & Sightseeing Holidays in Karnataka

Daksheswara Mahadev Temple, Haridwar

About 4 km from Haridwar, Kankhal, a small town is famed for its temple of
Daksheswara Mahadev. The temple is named after Daksha Prajapati who was
the father of Devi Sati, an incarnation of Goddess Durga. The temple was
mainly constructed by Queen Dhankaur in 1810 and later renovated in 1962.
The temple is designed in Nagara Style. Maha Shivratri is the best time to see
the vibrant face of this temple.
Annamalaiyar Temple, Tamil Nadu

One of the Pancha Bhuta Sthalas, found at the base of Annamalai Hills in
Thiruvannamalai, Annamalaiyar Temple is a famous religious spot for
Shaivites. The temple complex covers a huge area and is known in the
country for its giant size and lofty height. The temple has been the inspiration
behind many Tamil religious scriptures. Annamalaiyar temple has four
gateway towers known as Gopurams. The construction of the temple mainly
took place during the days of Chola rulers and was later renovated by the
rulers of the Saluva and Tuluva Dynasty. The temple witnesses five rituals in a
day and if you want to see the most happening sight of this temple, then you
should come here during Karthigai Deepam festival.
Tarakeshwar Temple, West Bengal

Associated with hundreds of deep rooted religious beliefs of the Hindu

devotees of West Bengal, Tarakeshwar is located in Hooghly District. The
presiding deity of the temple is Shiva who is believed to be the rescuer of all
religious souls. It is believed that the actual lingam which is worshipped in
this temple was found in a jungle by the mendicant brother of Raja Vishnu
Das. The temple as is visible today was built by Raja Vishnu Das who was
instructed in his dreams by Lord Shiva to build it. It is believed that people
who do fast in this temple without taking even water surely get their wish
fulfilled by Tarak Nath.
Murudeshwara Temple, Karnataka

The temple of Murudeshwara is located in Bhatkal Taluk of Uttara Kannada

district of Karnataka. Located at a hill top which is surrounded by the water of
the Arabian Sea, the temple is a 20 storied building. The temple houses the
second tallest statue of Lord Shiva in the world which spreads an enigmatic
aura in the evening during sun set. The statue is around 37 m tall and it is
estimated that it took around 2 years to build this statue.
Vadakkunnathan Temple, Kerala

Located in Thrissur city of Kerala, the temple of Vadakkunnathan is a popular

Shiva temple in South India. Lord Shiva is known here as Vadakkunnathan. It
is believed that the temple of Vadakkunnathan is the first temple to be built
by Lord Parshurama. The idol of Lord Shiva is worshipped here every day by
offering a huge amount of Ghee. As a result today the devotees can see here
a huge mound of Ghee instead of a proper Lingam. The ghee that is used for
daily Abhishekam of Lord Shiva is later given to the devotees to take back
home as Prasadam.

Note: Non Hindus are not allowed to enter this temple.

Bhavnath Mahadev Temple

A temple that takes you on a tour of ancient India, Bhavnath Mahadev temple
is located in Junagadh district of Gujarat. Located at the base of Girnar Hills,
the temple is a revered pilgrimage spot for Hindus as well as Jains. The best
attraction of this temple is the Bhavnath Fair that is mostly held in the month
of January-February. Try being a part of this festival and you will be blessed
with the presence of Naga Sadhus.
Srikalahasti Temple, Andhra Pradesh

Associated with the myth of Kannapas sacrifice of his eyes, Srikalahasti

Temple is located in Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh. The temple is
considered amongst the Pancha Bhuta Sthalas and Lord Shiva is worshiped
here as Kalahasteeswara. The temple was constructed in the 12 th Century by
Chola and Vijayangara Kings. The temple is considered as the Kailash of the
South. The white lingam worshipped in this temple is considered to be a
Swayambhu or self manifested lingam.
Kandariya Mahadeva Temple, Madhya Pradesh

Located in the temple complex of the famous Khajuraho temple of Madhya

Pradesh, Kandariya Mahadeva Temple stands apart from the popular Shiva
Temples that are found across the country. The temple attracts attention of
the travellers for the detailed carvings in its walls. There are around 900
sculptures inside and outside the temple. The prominent carvings include the
images of a dancing Chamunda and the images of Birabhadra. For the people
who are fond of exploring temple architecture, the shrine of Kandariya
Mahadev is a delight.
Tungnath Temple, Uttarakhand

An ideal pick for the devotees who are equally dedicated to adventure
activities, the temple of Tungnath is the highest known Shiva Temple in the
world. Located at a height of around 3680m in Rudraprayag District of
Uttarakhand, this temple is located at the base of Chandrashila Peak.
Trekkers irrespective of their religion walk through this temple to reach at
Chandrashila Peak. The temple of Tungnath is one of the Panch Kedar
Temples of Uttarakhand and thus holds great significance among the Hindus.
Vinayak Chaturthi and Deepawali festival are celebrated during September-
October.
Chidamabaram Nataraja Temple, Tamil Nadu

Located in Chidambaram Town of Tamil Nadu, Chidamabaram Natarajar

Temple is an artistically enriched shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva. The literal
meaning of Chidamabaram is the sky of conscious and refers to a very deep
concept of Hindu beliefs. The temple is also known as Thillai Nataraja Temple
and considered as one of the Pancha Bhuta Sthalams. The presiding deity of
the temple is Nataraja, Shiva, or Thillai Kothan. The temple has been
renovated by the dynasties like Pallava, Chola, Pandya, Vijayanagara and
Chera from time to time and thus gives a brief idea about the architectural
development happened during their reigns.
Jambukeswarar Temple, Trichy, Tamil Nadu

Popularly known as Thiruvanaikaval or Jambekeswaram Temple,

Jambukeswarar is a Shiva Shrine in Srirangam Island of Tamil Nadu. It is one
of the five temples that constitute Pancha Bhuta Sthalam. Shiva is
worshipped here with his consort Parvati, who is known as Akilandeswari. The
main attraction of this temple is the Shiva Lingam that spouts non-stop
trickles of water. Built around the 2nd century AD, the temple is a perfect
example of Dravidian style architectural. For people who would love to
explore historical elements, the temple contains inscription from the Chola
Period.
Koteshwar Temple, Rudraprayag, Uttarakhand

Located at a distance of around 3km from Rudraprayag is the Koteshwar

Mahadev Temple, which is a cave temple where Lord Shiva meditated before
he arrived at Kedarnath. The temple is located on the bank of the river
Alaknanda. There are several idols of deities in this cave temple which are
considered to be naturally formed.
 Bhojeshwar Shiva Temple, Madhya Pradesh

Located on the bank of river Betwa in the Raisen District of Madhya Pradesh,
Bhojpur Shiva Temple is an ancient temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. The
temple is famous for its incomplete construction and known for the huge
Shiva Lingam which is carved of a single rock. The Shiva Lingam is around
5.5m tall and counted among the tallest Shiva Lingas in the country. The
reason behind the incomplete structure of this temple is unknown.

Also Read:
Facts About Achaleshwar Temple of Chambal That Hardly Anyone
Knows
Kailashnath Temple, Maharashtra

The finest example of the Rashtrakuta architecture, Kailashnath Temple is

situated at Ellora, near Aurangabad. It is a rock cut temple, comprised of four
different parts. The temple is a part of 34 temples forming a group called
Ellora Caves. It is a megalith structure and was built around the 8 th century by
the Rashtrakuta ruler. The temple resembles the construction style of the
temples at Pattadakal. Experts opine that most of the South Indian temples
built in the later years have taken inspiration from the architectural design of
this temple.